Safety Tips

WHY IS CARBON MONOXIDE DANGEROUS?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas which is highly toxic when inhaled. The early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning are characterized by headache, dizziness and sleepiness. As more carbon monoxide is absorbed, the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, throbbing of the head, and, finally, unconsciousness then death.

UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF CO EXPOSURE:

Concentration of CO in the Air Approximate Inhalation Time and Toxic Symptoms Developed

The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8-hour period, according to OSHA*:

200 ppm — Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.

400 ppm — Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours, also maximum parts per million in flue gas (on an air free basis) according to Environmental Protection Agency and American Gas Association.

800 ppm — Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.

1,600 ppm — Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.

3,200 ppm — Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.

6,400 ppm — Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.

12,800 ppm — Death within 1-3 minutes.

_{ppm = parts per million}

_{* Occupational Safety and Health Association}

HOME AND WORK CO SOURCES:

Clogged chimney flue, gas water heater, gas refrigerator, gas space heater, gas dryer, gas stove, gas and oil furnace, car exhaust, charcoal or gas grill fumes, fuel-burning machinery, fireplace, fork lift, potentially anything in which any combustible is burned, whether by open flame or catalytic combustion.